Mainland's Quinton Powell says Florida pulled his scholarship offer

DAYTONA BEACH — The recruitment of Mainland linebacker Quinton Powell took a major twist Saturday morning.

Powell, who announced Jan. 22 that he would choose between Southern Cal and Florida on Wednesday's National Signing Day, said he received a call informing him that Florida no longer has a scholarship available for him.

Powell said the call followed a visit from Gators coach Will Muschamp and several members of the Florida defensive staff last Wednesday in which he was told he would have until Monday to let them know what his choice would be.

“You know, Florida was my childhood school and just to get that call after they stated they would wait until Monday … I was just like, ‘What? I thought you all cared about me?'” Powell said. “I felt like they would keep the offer. I felt like they'd be the last ones to do that, but things happen and that made my situation a little easier.”

NCAA rules prohibit schools from commenting about prep athletes who have not signed a letter of intent.

Powell originally committed to Florida in February of 2012. He reopened his recruiting in December just days after taking an official visit to Gainesville. At the time, Powell said he enjoyed his visit to UF, but he wanted to experience taking official visits to other schools.

He took just one more official visit, traveling to Southern Cal in late January before announcing that he would choose between the Trojans and the Gators.

“They were real close (to getting me to sign),” Powell said of Florida. “There were times when I woke up and thought Florida was the school for me, but this incident totally turned things around.”

With Florida out the picture, Powell said he would consider South Carolina, Oregon and Miami along with Southern Cal heading into signing day.

“I'm just going to go and talk to all of them again,” Powell said. “South Carolina is on me real close. I'm going to see what they have to offer.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Powell – ESPN's 80th ranked senior – had 94 tackles last season. He led the area in tackles for loss (34) and sacks (12). Had he signed with Florida he would have joined a stacked class of incoming linebackers. The Gators reportedly already have Daniel McMillian, Alex Anzalone and Matt Rolin enrolled in classes and Jarrad Davis is committed.

Verbal commitments from athletes and scholarship offers from colleges are non-binding agreements. Powell will have a chance to make his commitment binding by signing a letter of intent Wednesday.